Parasites in the human intestine - types of protozoa, symptoms and treatment

There are several signs that a person has parasites in the gut, and there are different ways to treat them. Failure of the internal organ system or changes in the appearance of feces are already considered an alarm signal in order to approach the examination for the presence of parasites. Many people don’t even realize they have helminths in their body. They are more common in children than in adults. This is due to the fact that babies can take toys and dirty hands in their mouths.

What are intestinal parasites

Stomach worms can exist on the walls of organs in humans and animals. They cause the disease - helminthiasis. The intestines are considered to be one of the most favorite habitats of helminths of various species. In this case, parasites can be found in all departments (small, large and rectum).

Intestinal parasites are harmful organisms. Protozoa and helminths (worms) can parasitize on the walls of the intestine. To prevent worms, you need to understand how to avoid infection. There are only four main sources of parasite eggs that enter the human body:

  1. insect bites;
  2. contacts (pinworms are transmitted by handshake);
  3. through the ground;
  4. use of raw or uncooked meat, fresh fish dishes.
Insect bites can transmit intestinal parasites

Which parasites live in the human gut

For a long time, a person may not suspect having parasites, and the signs may be similar to some diseases. Worms often appear in the digestive organs. Parasites live in the human gut

  • Dirty worm. They parasitize on the walls of the small intestine, cause disorders of the digestive system and weaken the human immune system.
  • Nekator and intestinal hookworm. These parasites in the stomach cause hookworm.
  • Ugrit. Causes strongyloidiasis. The hepatobiliary and digestive systems are affected.
  • wide strip. This parasite causes diphyllobothriasis. The worm lives on the walls of the small intestine.
  • Bull tapeworm. Helminth causes teniarinhosis.
  • Schistosomes. These parasites in the rectum are flukes. They can cause colitis, which leads to appendicitis or sclerosis of the intestinal wall.
  • Pork tapeworm. The worm causes tenia. Disrupts the work of digestion, causes neurological disorders. Its larvae can affect the intestines, organs of vision, brain, skin.
  • Vlasoglav. Causes trichuria.
  • Trichinella. These worms in the gut contribute to the development of trichinosis in humans. In severe cases, death is possible.

Protozoan microorganisms, or major protozoa, that can live on the walls of human intestines:

  • lamblia. They cause indigestion.
  • Histological (dysenteric) amoeba. This microorganism causes amoebiasis. The main symptom of the disease is diarrhea.
  • Homni blastocyst. It only harms the body with a weakened immune system, causing diarrhea and vomiting.
Human roundworms in a petri dish - parasitize on the walls of the small intestine

Symptoms of intestinal parasites

If a person has intestinal parasites, this will surely manifest. At the same time, indirect signs of the presence of helminths are often confused with other symptoms of various diseases. You cannot treat yourself, but you must seek medical help. As a rule, the main symptoms of parasites in the intestines are:

  • gases. Helminths, located on the walls of the small intestine, cause an inflammatory process, accompanied by swelling and gas.
  • Prison. The most popular sign of the presence of worms on the walls of the intestine.
  • Diarrhea. They provoke parasites that produce hormones that lead to frequent liquid bowel movements.
  • Weight change. A person in the presence of worms may experience a constant feeling of hunger or decreased appetite.
  • Allergic reaction. Worms in the intestines of the host secrete substances that cause the release of high doses of protective cells - eosinophils. All this can lead to allergies.
  • Pain in joints and muscles. Parasites can move around the body to find a comfortable habitat. They are able to settle on the muscles, causing acute pain.
  • Fatigue. A person with helminths often experiences fatigue, apathy, lack of sleep, it is difficult for him to concentrate on work.
  • Gritting teeth. This symptom is manifested in children during sleep, it is called bruxism.

Diagnosis

In the beginning, it is difficult to identify helminths, because the symptoms of helminthic invasion are similar to other diseases. Sometimes worms are accidentally found during operations in the treatment of other diseases. As a rule, the diagnosis of intestinal parasites includes the following informative methods:

  • Serological blood test. Determines antigens and antibodies to helminths. This study is conducted only in the late phase of infection.
  • Histological analysis of feces. Microscopic ultra-precise examination for the presence of parasites.
  • Scraping the perianal area. Helps detect pinworms.
  • Blood chemoscanning. The procedure effectively detects the presence of parasites and fungi.
Blood test to diagnose the presence of parasites in the gut

How to get rid of parasites

A parasitologist should treat a person for worms. More than 10 drugs of modern pharmacology have anthelmintic action. You can’t assign them yourself because. have a certain activity on different types of helminths. To clarify the diagnosis, it will be necessary to undergo a series of laboratory tests. Based on the obtained results, the doctor will create an effective treatment regimen.

Worms are able to appear and multiply quickly in the human body, so it is necessary to get rid of parasites in the intestines as soon as possible. To beat and get rid of helminths, you need to eat more vegetables and fruits. It is worth giving up meat and fish for a while. You can diversify your diet with spinach, beans, apples and grapes. Experts advise drinking plenty of fluids. So, cleaning from worms will happen much faster. Useful for people and yogurt, which includes a high content of lactobacilli.

Remedies for parasites in the gut

The modern market abounds in a variety of synthetic drugs that provide effective bowel cleansing from parasites. Every medicine must be prescribed by a doctor. To choose the right treatment, you need to pass a stool test. Depending on the type of worm, the patient may be prescribed anthelmintic drugs for parasites in the gut.

The effectiveness of parasite therapy with a properly designed course of treatment reaches an average of 95%. In this case, cases of re-infection are not excluded. After eliminating the worms from the intestines during the recovery period, the doctor can prescribe patients medications to adjust the microflora, which are aimed at strengthening the immune system. Enzymatic and bacterial agents, enterosorbents, plant adaptogens and immunostimulants are often used for this purpose.

Folk remedies

The fight against worms takes place in stages. If the patient’s intestines have got rid of the parasite, often the general condition of the body can worsen while taking the medication. You can remove helminths at home with improvised means or herbs. Healers of traditional medicine advise raising body temperature with food that has a sharp (burning) taste:

  • horseradish;
  • mustard;
  • carnation;
  • Red pepper;
  • ginger;
  • garlic;
  • onion.

Also, effective folk remedies for intestinal parasites are:

  • flaxseed powder;
  • decoction based on pomegranate peel (2 tablespoons should be poured boiling water);
  • Castor oil;
  • enema of wormwood decoction (3 grams of grass should be poured over boiling water and then filtered);
  • onion peel decoction;
  • lemon and garlic tincture;
  • peeled pumpkin seeds;
  • carrot juice (preferably freshly squeezed);
  • tansy decoction (you will need dried flowers and boiling water to prepare the product);
  • take a handful of uncooked rice with breakfast.

Cleaning the gut with soda from parasites

The use of sodium bicarbonate (soda) is considered effective in eliminating problems associated with parasites in the body. Such a product helps remove larvae and adult helminths from the gut, plus 80% of toxins and harmful products that enter the digestive tract. The alkaline environment is poorly perceived by worms, they become uncomfortable, so they leave their habitat. As a rule, cleaning the intestines with soda from parasites takes place in several stages:

  • an aqueous enema is first performed to remove feces;
  • then 25 g of soda should be diluted with a liter of warm filtered or boiled water;
  • the solution should be given by enema;
  • it is necessary to withstand the composition of soda inside the body for about 30 minutes before defecation;
  • then you need to put another enema with water to remove the remnants of alkali and reduce the negative impact of soda on the body;
  • the procedure should be done every day, until the helminths are completely eliminated;
  • soda treatment is considered complete if there are no worms in the feces for two days.
Baking soda helps remove parasites from the gut

Prevention of parasites in the gut

The appearance of helminths in humans, like many other diseases, is easier to prevent than to cure. Prevention of parasites in the intestines, as a rule, consists in maintaining personal hygiene and cleanliness of living spaces. In order not to feel the discomfort caused by worms, you must follow the basic rules to help protect yourself from parasites:

  • do not drink raw unboiled water;
  • hands should always be treated with antiseptics or washed with soap;
  • it is allowed to use only well-washed vegetables, fruits, herbs;
  • you should not swim in a tank that is prohibited by the sanitary and epidemiological station;
  • daily wet and dry cleaning of the premises;
  • Wash hands thoroughly after contact with animals.
  • children's toys and other items should be thoroughly cleaned after walking on the street;
  • do not eat raw fish or meat.